Combined transmission needs and facility decisions

Decisions on both the need and siting/routing for facility projects

​All new electric transmission facilities (with the exception of a small number of projects classified as critical transmission infrastructure) require two separate approvals from the AUC: (i) an approval of the need for new facilities as set out in a needs identification document (NID) filed by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) under the
Electric Utilities Act; and (ii) an approval of a facility application for the specific siting or routing of the new facilities, which is made by a transmission facility owner under the
Hydro and Electric Energy Act. In NID applications, the AESO must demonstrate the need for new transmission, and propose a transmission solution to meet that need. In a facility application, the Commission considers whether approval of the proposed facilities is in the public interest having regard to the project's social, economic and environmental effects. NID and facility applications may be considered by the Commission in separate proceedings (if considered independently, the facility proceeding must follow NID approval), or in a combined proceeding.

The issues typically considered in combined NID/facility decisions include: